WASHINGTON - Angered by Bush administration policies they contend endanger national security, 26 retired U.S. diplomats and military officers are urging Americans to vote President Bush (news - web sites) out of office in November.

The group, which calls itself Diplomats and Military Commanders for Change, does not explicitly endorse Democrat John Kerry for president in its campaign, which will start officially Wednesday at a Washington news conference.

The Bush-Cheney campaign said Sunday it would have no response until the group formally issues its statement at the news conference.

Among the group are 20 ambassadors, appointed by both Democratic and Republican presidents, other former State Department officials and military leaders whose careers span three decades.

Prominent members include retired Marine Gen. Joseph P. Hoar, commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East during the administration of Bush's father; retired Adm. William J. Crowe Jr., ambassador to Britain under President Clinton and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under President Reagan; and Jack F. Matlock Jr., a member of the National Security Council under Reagan and ambassador to the Soviet Union from 1987 to 1991.

"We agreed that we had just lost confidence in the ability of the Bush administration to advocate for American interests or to provide the kind of leadership that we think is essential," said William C. Harrop, the first President Bush's ambassador to Israel, and earlier to four African countries.

"The group does not endorse Kerry, although it more or less goes without saying in the statement," Harrop said Sunday in a telephone interview.

Harrop said he listed himself as an independent for years for career purposes but usually has voted Republican.

The former ambassador said diplomats and military officials normally avoid making political statements, especially in an election year.

"Some of us are not that comfortable with it, but we just feel very strongly that the country needs new leadership," Harrop said.

He said the group was disillusioned by Bush's handling of the war in Iraq and a list of other subjects, including the Middle East, environmental conservation, AIDS policy, ethnic and religious conflict and weapons proliferation.

Yeah, who cares if 26 experts say that the Bush admin has done a poor job. If you've had the Kool-Aid nothing matters, right?

I could find 100 "experts" to say Bush is doing a good job. What's your point?

And yet these 100 have not come forward. These are real experts. Retired Generals, a former head of the CIA, ambassadors to the Soviet Union, Israel, Saudi Arabia. You aren't going to find people with those kind of credentials.

Yeah, who cares if 26 experts say that the Bush admin has done a poor job. If you've had the Kool-Aid nothing matters, right?

I could find 100 "experts" to say Bush is doing a good job. What's your point?

And yet these 100 have not come forward. These are real experts. Retired Generals, a former head of the CIA, ambassadors to the Soviet Union, Israel, Saudi Arabia. You aren't going to find people with those kind of credentials.

Like I said, just like Ronald Reagans death this will be forgotten by November.

Yeah, who cares if 26 experts say that the Bush admin has done a poor job. If you've had the Kool-Aid nothing matters, right?

I could find 100 "experts" to say Bush is doing a good job. What's your point?

And yet these 100 have not come forward. These are real experts. Retired Generals, a former head of the CIA, ambassadors to the Soviet Union, Israel, Saudi Arabia. You aren't going to find people with those kind of credentials.

Hmm.. thats interesting. I care a lot more about what Jim the Janitor thinks. He's the one who has to live with the policies. The CIA directors and other elitists make so much money they don't care who becomes President.

If I want to tax advice I go to an accountant.If I want advice on working out I go to a trainer.If I want to know how to fly a plane I'll talk to a pilot.

If I want advice on National Security I'll talk to people who (like these 26) have worked in the field.

Ah, but you don't want advice on national security. You want to judge the existing policy.

Here is a better analogy:If I want to know how my food tastes, I don't ask a cook.If I want to know if my house was painted the best color, I don't ask a painter.If I want to know if that music sounds great, I don't ask a guitarist.

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If I want to tax advice I go to an accountant.If I want advice on working out I go to a trainer.If I want to know how to fly a plane I'll talk to a pilot.

If I want advice on National Security I'll talk to people who (like these 26) have worked in the field.

Ah, but you don't want advice on national security. You want to judge the existing policy.

Here is a better analogy:If I want to know how my food tastes, I don't ask a cook.If I want to know if my house was painted the best color, I don't ask a painter.If I want to know if that music sounds great, I don't ask a guitarist.

Its not going to do alot, but I think it says alot...If military personnal who know what they are talking about, including former members of the Joints Chiefs, along with dipolomats from both sides of the aisle are saying Bush shouldnt be Commander in Chief, I'm going to give them a few minutes of my time.